A look inside the playful, unpredictable, and deeply rewarding journey of life with two unforgettable companions.
What are some of your favourite quirks or personality traits of Levi and Smuckers?
Levi has… a lot of quirks.
He firmly believes the floors are lava and will only walk on carpet, so we built him what we call the Trans-Siberian Highway—a network of rugs and mats connecting our entire house so he can move around freely.
He refuses to walk on wet grass or use the stairs, so we carry him across both. We got a big backyard just for him, only to realize he doesn’t like to relax where he goes to the bathroom—so that plan was useless by day one.
He loves carrots… but only if they’re dipped in sauce. He won’t eat breakfast unless it’s delivered to him in bed. And perhaps most notoriously, he is extremely vocal—he has no problem loudly airing his grievances any time he feels even slightly inconvenienced.
And then there’s Smuckers—who is essentially a permanent puppy. She’s full of energy, always on the go, and keeps everything in the house just a little bit chaotic.
And just in case we didn’t already hear our newborn twins crying, they both howl along in full support.
Between the two of them, it’s their world… and we’re just living in it.
Can you tell us about the experience of bringing Levi home as a rescue and what those early days looked like as he adjusted to his new life?
He was rescued from Iran after being thrown from a second-story window, and we didn’t know the full extent of what he had been through. We were told he might have injuries, but beyond that, there were a lot of unknowns. On top of that, he was very sick with a tick-borne disease called ehrlichia, which can affect a dog’s immune system and caused things like lethargy, weight loss, and nose bleeds.
So those early days weren’t about training tricks or going on adventures—they were about stability. Vet visits, medications, monitoring him closely, and trying to make him feel safe in an environment he didn’t understand yet.
Emotionally, he was still figuring everything out too. He wasn’t this confident, larger-than-life personality you see now. He was cautious, unsure, and learning how to trust.
And that’s what those first few weeks really were—earning that trust. Creating a routine, showing him consistency, and giving him the space to come out of his shell on his own terms.
Over time, you could actually watch him change. His personality started to come through—dramatic, expressive, a little bit entitled—and now he acts like he’s always owned the place.
But those early days… they were about patience, uncertainty, and just hoping you were doing everything right for a dog whose past you couldn’t fully piece together.
How Has Levi & Smuckers impacted your life?
They’ve impacted my life in ways that go far beyond what I ever expected.
Yes, they’ve played a big role in building my career by sharing their quirky personalities online—but more than anything, they’ve brought so much joy into my life and have been a constant through every season, including some of the hardest ones.
Living with them day to day has taught me so many things that I didn’t even realize at the time would carry over into motherhood. Patience. Consistency. Staying calm in chaos. Showing up every day, even when you’re tired.
And when I became a mom to twins, I realized how much of that translated.
They’ve been more than just pets—they’ve shaped how I move through life, and ultimately, how I show up as a mom.
How do you manage pet hair around the home, and do you have any tips for keeping things clean with two furry companions?
We invested in a good robovac to handle the day-to-day pet hair on the floors—and it’s honestly been worth every penny.
Beyond that, I’ve just built it into my routine. I’ll usually do a quick vacuum while the dogs are out for a walk (mainly because Smuckers is terrified of the stick vacuum), so it’s easy to stay on top of without it feeling like a big task.
We also keep machine-washable covers on the couches, which makes a huge difference. Being able to just throw them in the wash keeps everything feeling clean without a ton of effort.
I won’t lie—there’s always going to be fur when you have dogs like this. But if you stay consistent with it and tackle it a little bit each day, it’s actually really manageable.
What are some ways you keep Levi and Smuckers happy, safe, and well cared for through all of life’s adventures?
There are the obvious basics—regular grooming (especially with a wooly husky), daily brushing, and making sure they’re eating a healthy, balanced diet.
But when it comes to keeping them happy, it’s honestly not about constantly buying new toys for them to destroy.
The biggest thing for us is getting them outside as much as possible. We walk them 2–3 times a day, and it’s easily the best part of their day. That time outside—moving, exploring, sniffing—does more for their happiness and overall well-being than anything else.
It’s simple, but it makes the biggest difference.
Follow them on Instagram: @levithehuskyrescue.
